Nottingham Forest are interested in signing Fenerbahce’s Attila Szalai and Noah Okafor of RB Salzburg, so what could Steve Cooper’s XI look like in the Premier League next season?
The City Ground hierarchy are eagerly scouring the market for options who could improve their squad following victory in the play-offs. A 1-0 win over Huddersfield at Wembley was enough to end the East Midlands natives’ 23-year wait for their to return to the top-flight.
Nottingham Forest ended the regular Championship season in fourth thanks heavily to the goals Brennan Johnson scored and created. The Wales winger found the net 16 times and laid on nine assists, before firing twice in the play-off semi-finals against Sheffield United.
Nottingham Forest interested in RB Salzburg raid for Noah Okafor
Cooper will now hope promotion to the Premier League is enough to see Johnson stay at the City Ground. The 21-year-old committing to another season could also see the 10-cap dynamo, who has helped Wales qualify for the World Cup, spearhead a new look attack.
That’s because Nau.ch report Nottingham Forest are interested in signing Okafor from RB Salzburg, but face rivalling other top-flight clubs. The 22-year-old has at least two further Premier League teams considering moves after scoring 14 and creating 10 goals this term.
Okafor dazzled in the Austrian Bundesliga and for Switzerland in their World Cup qualifying campaign to edge Italy. The six-cap attacker provided an assist to draw 1-1 with the Azzurri before netting his maiden senior international goal in a 4-0 rout of Bulgaria to top Group C.
Steve Cooper interested in Fenerbahce’s Attila Szalai to improve Nottingham Forest
Cooper is also interested in improving Nottingham Forest’s defence with a move for Szalai of Fenerbahce, according to Takvim. The City Ground boss sent his scouts to watch the 24-year-old in action as Hungary beat England, with staff from Fulham and Newcastle United.
Fenerbahce are not opposed to selling the 24-cap enforcer as they weigh up one marquee exit. But the Super Lig giants value Szalai at €12-13m (£10-11m), and will raise their asking price further should any Premier League teams show any concrete interest in his signature.
Szalai played the full 90 minutes as Hungary edged England 1-0 at the Puskas Arena for his 23rd international start. He also featured 43 times with Fenerbahce in all competitions this term, while scoring once, creating two goals and proving his versatility to play at left-back.
Cooper could now step up Nottingham Forest’s interest in prising Szalai from Fenerbahce and Okafor from RB Salzburg with the funds that promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs provides. But what could his line-up look like next season with both stars signed?
Brice Samba (GK): Congo ace may play behind Szalai amid Nottingham Forest’s interest
Brice Samba could line up behind Szalai next season amid Nottingham Forest’s interest in the Fenerbahce defender. The Congolese goalkeeper played a key role in the City Ground natives securing their promotion, having kept 14 clean sheets in 40 regular-season games.
He also shut Huddersfield out at Wembley and produced a heroic performance at Sheffield United in the semi-final second-leg shoot-out. Samba denied Iliman Ndiaye magnificently late on, then saved Ollie Norwood, Conor Hourihane and Morgan Gibbs-White’s penalties.
Scott McKenna (CB): Instrumental defensive presence behind promotion
Scott McKenna was also an instrumental figure behind Nottingham Forest’s promotion to now merit a Premier League presence under Cooper. The defender consistently delivered for the East Midlands side, as he reached another level with some sublime pinpoint passes.
Joe Worrall (CB): Promotion enough for defender to stay at City Ground
Promotion should additionally see Cooper fend off transfer interest in Joe Worrall after he led Nottingham Forest from the back. The Mirror reported in March that Brighton, Everton and West Ham scouted him in the FA Cup tie against Liverpool, with David Moyes a big fan.
Attila Szalai (CB): Nottingham Forest interested in Fenerbahce enforcer
Szalai’s versatility to also play at left-back could see the Fenerbahce star step in as the left-sided option in Cooper’s three-man defence next term, amid Nottingham Forest’s interest in his transfer. It would be his first spell in England following Hungary, Austria and Cyprus.
Kane Wilson (RM): Steve Copper sends scouts to watch Djed Spence replacement
Cooper is not only interested in Nottingham Forest scouting Fenerbahce enforcer Szalai, as well. Bristol Live report City Ground staff have regularly watched Forest Green Rovers full-back Kane Wilson this season, as the 22-year-old flourished in League Two with 14 assists.
The former England U18 gem also scored three goals over 45 games as Forest Green won the title. Cooper admires what Wilson showed as he targets a like-for-like replacement for Djed Spence, who the Express note Nottingham Forest expect will join Tottenham Hotspur.
Joe Rothwell (CM): Nottingham Forest set to sign Blackburn Rovers dynamo for free
Nottingham Forest are set to strengthen their midfield this summer with a free transfer for Joe Rothwell. TEAMtalk claim Cooper is a big fan of the 27-old and is set to win the race for his signature, after the box-to-box technician rejected a new contract at Blackburn Rovers.
Rothwell is seemingly keen to test himself in the Premier League after four years at Ewood Park. He displayed great defensive and offensive abilities in the Championship under Tony Mowbray, leading to scoring three goals and assisting a further 10 in 41 games this season.
James Garner (CM): Steve Cooper interested in second loan from Manchester United
James Garner needed a bit of time to get into gear after joining Nottingham Forest on loan from Manchester United in January 2021. But his return for the full 2021/22 campaign saw the 21-year-old find an even higher level, and displayed a supreme threat from set-pieces.
Now, The Sun report Nottingham Forest are interested in singing Garner on loan again for their Premier League return. But Erik ten Hag will make Cooper wait, as the new Red Devils boss wants to see what the England U21 international can add during his pre-season plans.
Jack Colback (LM): Nottingham Forest to lean on ‘powerful’ voice in Premier League
Cooper regularly fielded Jack Colback as his left-sided option in Nottingham Forest’s bid for promotion to the Premier League. He also hailed the 32-year-old for his leadership, which should now see him retain a key role in the top-flight after 41 second-tier games this term.
“He has good experience and good leadership,” Cooper told BBC Radio Nottingham in April. “He has a good sensible approach to the game and is willing to share what he thinks.
“I want everyone to have a view and opinion – and certainly the ones who have been around the block before. There is nothing more powerful sometimes than a player talking because they are the ones on the pitch playing the game.”
Brennan Johnson (RW): Steve Cooper retains sought-after Wales winger
Johnson’s instrumental role in Nottingham Forest’s promotion as the talisman of Cooper’s attack alerted Premier League sides to his potential. The Daily Mail report Leeds, Brentford and Newcastle want the £20m ace. But 90min claim Forest are now confident he will stay.
Noah Okafor (ST): Nottingham Forest interested in RB Salzburg forward
Okafor returning Nottingham Forest’s interest to leave RB Salzburg for the Premier League may see the Swiss lead Cooper’s attack next term. The 22-year-old showed he is not afraid of taking on a tougher challenge after netting three in the Champions League this season.
His haul included scoring twice at home to Wolfsburg and once against Sevilla in the group stage. Okafor’s efforts restored and stretched RB Salzburg’s advantage over the Bundesliga outfit, before striking the only goal to beat Sevilla who held La Liga’s best defensive record.
Philip Zinckernagel (LW): Watford loanee may seek return after Hornets relegation
Philip Zinckernagel was one of the motors that made Nottingham Forest strong, as the 27-year-old implemented Cooper’s tactics to a tee. He also finished the term with seven goals and 10 assists in 50 games – including scoring and creating against Leicester in the FA Cup.
Now, the Dane will return to parent club Watford but following their relegation from the top-flight, Zinckernagel may consider another spell at the City Ground. He is yet to play a single game in the Premier League, having joined the Hornets while in the Championship.
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